In a measure aimed at reforming electoral practices in urban body polls in Madhya Pradesh, candidates would be disqualified from contesting if they are found to have not paid electricity bill for more than six months. "Candidates will have to mention the electricity bill due amount. As per a new amendment, candidates will be unable to contest urban body election if electricity bills of the Madhya Pradesh State Electricity Board or its companies are pending for more than six months," an official release said on October 1.

Calculation of the due amount of electricity bills would be done by the Madhya Pradesh State Election Commission for six months before announcement of election dates, the release said.

The release quoted Secretary of the State Election Commission G P Shrivastava as saying that besides affidavits, payment certificates of all taxes of urban bodies should also be taken from candidates.

He has directed all district election officers to inform representatives of political parties about these provisions in the meeting of the district standing committee, the release said.